GREEN BAY, Wis. (NBC 26) — According to the U.S. Army, just 10 percent of the American population is inclined to serve. That's the lowest in over a decade.
It's part of the reason why Northeast Wisconsin Army members are working to connect with the community.
"I was serving as an EMT here locally in Green Bay," Sergeant Justin Wangerin said. "I really wanted to get my paramedic license."
So as a Suamico native, Wangerin joined the U.S. Army.
"I did it for the education benefits and also to support my family and help with free health care and travel and just being able to pay bills without a second thought," he said.
This week, the Green Bay Army Recruiting Station is hosting 'March to Service,' a campaign aimed at reconnecting with members of the community.
"My main goal throughout this week is that community partners throughout the Green Bay area and parents are no longer afraid to come and talk to us," Sergeant First Class Timothy Schider said.
According to Statista, active duty Army personnel numbers have dropped under 500,000 people since 2014.
And the U.S. Army reports less than a quarter of 17 to 24 year olds are qualified for enlistment.
"Whether that's due to obesity, criminal charges," Schider said. "We can see in Green Bay itself, cime is rising. Drugs are becoming way more prevalent than what they used to be."
Schider, the station's commander, says his branch has over 150 different jobs it's looking to fill, from engineering roles to IT. He says it's a common misconception that everything is combat-related.
"I have to pick up a gun and go to war, or I'm guaranteed to go to war," Schider said. "When in fact, I served in the infantry for 7.5 years, and I never got deployed once."
As a now Green Bay-based Army recruiter himself, Wangerin says he was formerly deployed twice.
"It's always difficult to be away from family obviously," he said.
But with over a week left in the 'March to Service' campaign, Wangerin wants to connect with parents and students. He believes his time in the military has been worth it.
"I know that I'm fighting for something bigger than just myself," Wangerin said. "It really makes my life more meaningful."
The Green Bay Army recruiting officesays it will have coffee and donuts this Friday for anyone who wants to learn more about the roles.
